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Precincts and Communities

Community of Berry, Kentucky

Chapter XIII
Pages 317-319

Berry Precinct - Physical and topographical features - Early settlement - Life in the wilderness - Mills, Roads, Distilleries, etc. Churches and schools - Villages.

Berry Precinct, is situated in the north part of the county, and is described as Election Precinct No. 4. For quite a distance on each side of the Licking River the surface is generally level, presenting some fine bottom lands, which for framing purposes are unsurpassed in the county. Aside from this valley, the country is hilly and broken, often rising into rugged bluffs, but where at all susceptible to cultivation, the soil is rich and productive, and the people industrious and prosperous. A number of streams traverse the precinct, among which may be noticed the South Fork of Licking, Mud Lick, Stratton's Run, Snake Lick, Raven's Creek, Long Branch and several small brooklets The South Fork of Licking forms a part of the northern boundary, thus watering and draining the country well through which they flow. The timber growth is similar to that in this section of the country, consisting mainly of oak, walnut, hickory, sugar tree, ash, etc. The chief products are corn wheat and tobacco, the latter being the principal crop, which, from the close proximity of the Kentucky Central Railroad, the planter is enabled, with advantage to himself,, to ship to the best markets. The precinct is bounded north by Pendleton County, east by Richland Precinct, south by Cynthiana Precinct, west by Rutland Precinct, and had a population by the last census (1880) of 2,250, fifteen per cent of whom were colored and two per cent foreigners. A number of villages are located in the precinct which will be more fully noticed further in this chapter.

Among the early settlers of Berry Precinct, or the scope of the country now embrace in it, may be mentioned John Smith, Nathan and John N. Smith, Col. R.W. Porter, William Dickinson, John Burroughs, Jacob Sowders, Haman Million, Abijah De Jarnette, and others not now remembered. John Smith came from Virginia in an early day, but whether he was that John of Pocahontas fame or not, we are not informed. As the name is an uncommon one, it is altogether possible that he was the same man. He bought or patented 1,500 acres of land near where Berry Station now stands, for which he paid 12-1/2 cents an acre, in maple sugar. Nathan and John N. were his sons, and always lived on this place. Thomas W. Smith, a son of Nathan, and a grandson of the original John, still lives on the old place. Burroughs and Sowders were also from Virginia. Dickinson bought a body of land near the present town of Berry, about two or three miles square. Col. Porter settled near by about the same time of Dickinson. Million settled on Raven's Creek, and De Jarnette about half a mile south of Berry's. Of other pioneer setters, we have been unable to learn anything. In those early days, the people who had sought homes in the great wilderness paid but little attention to preserving historical facts. They had enough to do to preserve their own lives from prowling savages, who were always on the lookout for the unwary whites. For years after the first settlements were made in this section of the country, the pioneers held their lives in their hands, as it were, and when they laid down to sleep at night, it was with a grave uncertainty of ever waking again in this world. But the pale-faces' indomitable energy and perseverance prevailed, and "lo! the poor Indian!" shrank before them and was lost in the shadows of the great West.

The first roads through this section were trails made by the Indians. These were afterward "cut out" and improved by the settlers. The Lexington & Covington State road was the first public highway through the precinct, and passes through the village of Colemansville. Before the era of railroads, it was an important thoroughfare. There are no turnpikes in the precinct, and most of the dirt roads are only accessible to horsemen. A good road tax could be judiciously invested in this part of the county. The Kentucky Central Railroad follows the valley of the Licking River through the entire precinct, and is of great advantage to the people, affording ample means of shipping the large amount of tobacco produced in this region. Several stations, viz. Robertson's, Berry's and Boyd's, are all shipping points of this popular product.

Numerous mills were among the early industries of the settlers of Berry Precinct. The first were horse-mills, which afterward gave place to water-power. The first mill operated by horse-power was erected by John Smith near the present village of Berry. Abijah De Jarnette built a mill and distillery one and a half miles south of Berry, in a very early day. Both have long since disappeared. Spencer Pigg built a mill one mile above Berry, probably the first in the precinct, except Smith's horse-mill. Whitehead and Frank Coleman built one near Colemansville, and Barnett Oder one near Coleman's. These are all, except the Coleman Mill, long since gone. Andrew Boyd started a distillery in 1843 at Boyd's Station. He sold it to B.K. Reynolds, who moved it to Covington in 1873. Other mills and distilleries are mentioned in connection with the village where they are located.

There are a number of churches in Berry Precinct, showing that the people are religiously inclined. Besides those in the villages, a Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev. Mr. Forsythe, about three and a half miles north of Berry Station, and a church built in 1860. The membership is small and at present there is not regular pastor. Fairview Baptist Church is in the extreme east part of the precinct, and was founded in 187, by Rev. A.L. Jourdan. The church edifice was built in 1878. At present there are fifty-three members under the pastorate of Rev. S.H. Burgess of Berry. Providence Baptist Church is situated three miles northeast of Berry, and was established about the year 1869. It has a membership of forty, under the pastoral charge of Rev. J.R. Barbee, of Cynthiana. A Methodist Church is about being organized by Rev. A.J. Sawyer. There is one colored church in the precinct, which is largely attended, as the colored race are note church-goers.

The educational facilities of the precinct are good, and amply supply the wants of the community. Of the first schools taught in this section, we know absolutely nothing, nor could we learn the names of the first teachers. There are at present eight schools in the precinct, all taught by competent teachers. There is also one colored school, which affords educational advantages to the colored children. The first Magistrates of Berry Precinct were Charles Lail and I.N. Ramey. The department of justice is at present represented by Charles Lail and James McMurty, Justices of the Peace, and E.D. Stone, Constable.

This section of Harrison County seems to be prolific in the matter of villages. Several dot the hills and valleys of Berry Precinct. The oldest one in the neighborhood is Colemansville, situated one and a quarter miles west of Berry's Station, on the old State road leading from Lexington to Covington. It was founded in an early day by Whitehead Coleman, who was an early settler in the vicinity. Before the building of the Kentucky Central Railroad, it was a place of considerable importance, and had an extensive trade. Its location on the old State road made it the trading-point for a large scope of country. But with the building of railroads it lost its prestige, and now but little business is carried on. One store and a few shops comprise its business at the present time. It also has two churches. The Baptist Church here was organized about the year 1846, by Rev. Thomas Waggener, of Pendleton County. The church building was erected in 1865. Among the first members were John C. Johnson, Mrs. Victor, Mrs. Mary L. Gray, Mrs. Webb, etc., etc. The present membership is eighty-five, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Amos Stout.

Berry's Station is the most important village in the precinct, and has a population of about four hundred. It is a live, energetic place, and does a large business.. Its laying-out as a village dates back to the building of the railroad through this section. Col. George W. Berry donated land and built the first store, and was the first Postmaster upon the establishing of a post office. The first tavern was built and kept by W.W. Bradley. A steam-mill was built by A.J. McNees, which was burned in 1866. He rebuilt it in 1870 as a water-power mill; it has a capacity of 250 bushels of grain per day. Mr. McNees owns the tobacco warehouses which are in operation here, and which have an annual capacity of 300,000 pounds. As a sample of the business energy of the little town, one merchant in 1880, alone sold $35,000 worth of goods.

The village was incorporated in 1866, and is governed by a Board of Trustees. The present board is J.H. Swinford, J.B. Crouch, F.G. Craig, J.A. Newberry and W.G. Vanderen. L.D. Huffman is Police Magistrate, and R.M. King, Marshal. The business now comprises two stores two confectioneries, two millinery stores, one drug store, three blacksmith shops, two wood shops, one distillery, one shoe shop, one tin shop, one hotel, one flouring-mill, two tobacco warehouses and packing establishments, stockyard, one post office, telegraph and freight offices, one colored church and school, one white school and white church, one Masonic lodge, one lawyer, one resident minister, four doctors, and two undertakers. (No reflection is intended by mentioning doctors and undertakers in the same connection.

The church was organized here in November, 1881, in the hall over Renaker's store, by Rev. A.J. Sawyer. No building has yet been erected, but it is the intention to build during the coming year. Rev. Mr. Sawyer administers to the spiritual wants of the little flock. A prosperous union Sunday school is carried on, numbering one hundred and twenty-five pupils, under the superintendence of G.G. Crenshaw.

The Masonic Lodge was organized in 1845, as Taylor Lodge, No. 164, and now has upon the roll thirty members. The present officers are G.B. Durant, Worshipful Master; J.B. Croult, Senior Warden; John Carr, Junior Warden; O.W. Grissom, Treasurer, and S.P. Crouch, Secretary. The school is one of the most flourishing in the county. Two teachers are employed, and the daily attendance is about eight pupils. Prof. E.O. Ware is Principal, and Miss Alice Kimbrough, assistant teacher. With all the moral influences emanating from these moral institutions--church, Sunday-school, Masonic lodge, and school--the village of Berry must be a model place, and the very pink of human excellence. No people can be very bad surrounded by all these civilizing and refining influences. The present Postmaster of Berry is T.H. Rankin; telegraph operator, James Farley; freight agent, J.C. Blair; hotel-keeper, J.L. Jouett. The post office at this place is the distributing point for some six or eight other post offices in the north east part of the county. The County Poor House, which is more fully mentioned in another chapter, is located here, and also Craig's distillery, which is likewise mentioned in the chapter devoted to that interest.

Boyd's Station, in the north part of the precinct, is situated on the Kentucky Central Railroad, midway between Cincinnati and Lexington, and is the central water station and coal supply of the railroad. It was named for Andrew Boyd, Sr., who was one of the early settler sin the vicinity. He operated a distillery where the village now stands a early as 1843. Like Berry's Station, the place sprang into existence upon the building of the railroad. It is a small place, with about one hundred inhabitants, and boasts of three stores, a post office, tobacco warehouse, mill, etc. The post office is kept by James Woodbury; the tobacco warehouse does quite a large business, and the mill is in good condition. It has a capacity of 200 bushels of grain per day, and is operated by J.P. Blair. This mill was originally built by Whitehead Coleman about the year 1810, and is the oldest mill in this section of the county. It was formerly known as the "Broad Ford Mill," in consequence of the great width of the river at this point.

Robertson Station is situated on the Kentucky Central Railroad in the southern part of the precinct, nine miles from Cynthiana, and has a population of thirty souls and a like number of bodies. There is one store kept by E.S. Blackford, who is also railroad and express agent, Postmaster, etc. A flour-mill, owned by J. Bowman, does a large business; there is also a saw-mill in connection. A lawyer and physician attend to the legal business, and the pains and aches of the place.

Durbantown is a still smaller place. It is situated three miles northwest of Berry's Station, and has a store, blacksmith shop, and a branch post office, kept by Luke Stone.--Perrin.

Pages 702-704:
Berry's Station Precinct

A.M. BASKETT, farmer; is a native of Nicholas County, Ky., and the son of Jesse S. and Edy (Victor) Baskett. He was born in December, 1843. His people were among the early settlers of Nicholas County, his father having been born there in 1802. He was a trader before his marriage, after which he engaged in farming, and continued the same until his death, which occurred in 1877, when he was 75 years of age. His mother was born in Nicholas County in 1816; she is still living, and makes her home with her son, the subject of this sketch, A.M., was four years of age when his parents moved to Harrison County. He has spent his life at farming, and now has a farm of 124 acres. In 1873 he was married to Miss Minerva Stanley; one child has been born to them, Jesse S. His wife and mother are members of the Baptist Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. Though a comparatively young man, Mr. Baskett, by his energy and good business habits, has acquired a fair property and he is a man of good name and reputation in the community.

J.B. CROUCH, merchant; P.O. Berry; is a descendant of Harrison County's old pioneers. He being of the third generation of his people who have been residents of the county. He was born sept. 20, 1829, and is the son of Wm. and Nancy (Barlow) Crouch; the former, a native of Harrison County, and son of John Crouch, the pioneer. William was born in 1803; received his education in his native county, and spent his life in the occupation of farming; he died June 17, 1873. The mother of J.B. died in 1834, aged twenty-five years. The early years of Mr. Crouch's life were spent with his parents, where he received his education, and assisted his father in the duties of farming. In 1850, he married Miss Mary Crouch, who bore him five children, four of whom are living, viz[.]: Martha, Nancy, Samuel, and Louisa. His wife died in 1868, and in 1871 he was married to Mrs. Eveline G. Dills, daughter of Thomas A. Rankin. One child has been born to them. Being raised on a farm, Mr. Crouch in 1850 began farming on his own account, owning and working a farm of 140 acres; in 1865, however, he engaged in the mercantile business, to which he has since devoted his time; he began in Colemansville, as successor to L.M. Hume, and in 1866 removed to Berry's Station, remaining, however, but six months, and then he returned to Colmansville and engaged in business in the Masonic Hall building, which burned in 1869; he fortunately saved his goods, and removed to the building where he first entered trade; in 1878 he again removed to Berry's Station and engaged in business with a vigor, honesty, and determination that has won him success. He now carries a stock of about $10,000, and does an annual business of about $25,000. His store is 100 feet deep by 20 feet frontage; the first floor is occupied as a general salesroom, and the second is given up to boots and shoes, hats and caps, ready made clothing, &c. In all respects Mr. Crouch's place of business would do credit to many of the larger cities of the Blue Grass region. Politically Mr. Crouch is a Democrat, and himself and family are members of the Baptist Church, in which he is a deacon; he is a member of Taylor Lodge No. 164, A.,F.&A.M., in which he is at present acting as W.M.

E.C. CRENSHAW, farmer; P.O. Berry; was born in Scott County, Ky., July 7, 1805, and is the son of Joel and Millicent (Sutton) Crenshaw, both natives of Virginia and brought by their parents to Scott County when children; he was born in 1780; was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in 1838. Mrs. Crenshaw died in 1869, aged seventy-six years. E.C. remained with his parents until thirty years of age; he received his education in Scott County, and spent the early years of his manhood assisting his father at farming; in 1835 he was married to Miss Lizzie Goddard, who has borne him four children, two of whom are living: Mary E., now wife of I.N. Walker, and George, who married Miss Keturah Walker, and who now resides with his parents. In 1835 Mr. Crenshaw began farming on his own account in Scott County, and in 1836 also run a brickyard near Georgetown. In 1837, he removed to Fayette County; he farmed there for two years, and then returned to Scott County; in 1842, he removed to Harrison County; bought a farm of 260 acres, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock raising, and has added to his farm until he now owns 510 acres. He is considered one of the substantial thorough-going men of the county, and is in every way worthy of the good name and reputation he bears.

Y.H. DOAN, farmer; P.O. Berry; was born in Harrison County, Ky., Dec. 19, 1812, and is the son of Benjamin and Mary (Burks) Doan. They were among the old pioneers of Harrison County; he was a native of North Carolina, and she was born in Virginia; he was a farmer by occupation, and at the age of nineteen years became a resident of Fleming County, Ky., but subsequently moved to Harrison County, where he died in 1852, aged eighty-four years. His wife survived him but two years, she dying in 1854, aged seventy-eight years. Mr. Doan lived with his parents until their death, having for ten years previous to their death cared for and supported them. In 1832 he was married to Miss Nancy Henry; thirteen children have been born to them, six of whom are living, viz: William B., John B., Elizabeth J., Lucretia R., Nancy M., and Margaret A.; his family are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Doan has spent his life in Harrison County, engaged in farming; he has a farm of 220 acres, and is considered one of the substantial, enterprising citizens of the community in which he resides.

A.J. HICKS, farmer; P.O. Robinson; was born in Harrison County, Jan. 28, 1820, and is the son of James and Millie (Adams) Hicks, who were among the early pioneers of Harrison County. The former was a native of South Carolina, and born in 1785; he removed to Wayne County, Ky., after having arrived at manhood, and subsequently to Harrison County. The former was a native of South Carolina, and born in 1785; he removed to Wayne County, Ky., after having arrived at manhood, and subsequently to Harrison County, where he died in his seventy-eighth year. The mother of A.J. was born in Virginia, and died shortly after they became residents of Harrison County, her death occurring in 1815, in their twenty-second year. A.J. was thrown upon his own resources at the early age of ten years, and as is usual in many similar instances, his success in life seems to have been increased by his early hardships. In 1838 he married Miss Polly Ashbrook. Six children were born of this marriage, three of whom are now living; Anna E., James J., and George. In September, 1852, his wife died; his second marriage was to Miss Elizabeth Craig, and of the eleven children born of this marriage six are now living, viz.: Edward, Hugh, Alvin, Doctor, Jacob, and Clark P. About the time of his first marriage Mr. Hicks bought his present farm of 154 acres, since which his time and labor have been spent in its improvement and cultivation. Mrs. Hicks is a member of the Christian Church, and in his political views, is a Democrat.

W.B. HILDRETH, blacksmith; P.O. Berry; was born in Bourbon County, Ky., and is the son of Jonathan and Ann (Crutchfield) Hildreth. His father was a native of Virginia, and was brought to Bourbon County by his parents when but a child. He followed farming as a business, and moved to Harrison County during his early manhood, where he resided until his death. W.B. became a resident of Harrison County at the time of his parents' removal from Bourbon County. He followed farming during his early manhood, but at thirty-five years of age he began work at blacksmithing, which he has since continued. In 1846 he married Miss Martha M. Penn, who has borne him six children, only two of whom are now living: Margaret, now wife of T.B. Stone, and Mary B., who still resides with her parents. Mr. Hildreth is a Democrat, and a member of Taylor Lodge No. 164, A.F.&A.M., of Berry's Station. He is an honest, hard working man, who bears a worthy name and reputation.

J.L. JUETT, hotel; P.O. Berry; was born in Harrison County, Ky., Jan. 1, 1847, and is the son of Adam and Elizabeth (Reneker) Juett. The former is a native of Grant County, Ky.; he has followed farming, and is now a resident of Harrison County. The mother of J.L. died in 1852, aged thirty-tow years. J.L. lived with his parents until he was eighteen years old, when he entered the Confederate army, enlisting in the 6th Kentucky Cavalry, in which he served two years and four months; he was wounded three times, from the effects of which he has never recovered; after leaving the army, he spent about two years at his old home, and shortly after bought a farm of 100 acres, which he conducted successfully until 1880, when he sold his farm and moved to Berry's Station and engaged in keeping hotel; he has the only public place of entertainment of the place. By careful management and a study of the needs of the traveling public, he is making a success of this business; in 1867, he was married to Miss Susan E. King. Five children have been the issue of this union, three of whom now are living, viz[.]: Millie C., Nancy S. and Howard. Mr. Juett is a Democrat, and he and Mrs. Juett are members of the Baptist Church; he is a stirring, energetic man, who has been careful to dabble in no business to bring his name into disrepute, and as a consequence he enjoys an honorable name and reputation.

CHARLES LAIL, farmer; P.O. Berry; was born in Harrison County, Ky., Nov. 28, 1846, and is the son of Charles and Louisa (Douglas) Lail. He is descended from one of Harrison County's old pioneers. His grandfather, John Lail, was born while his parents were en route from Pennsylvania to Kentucky. They settled in Harrison County, where John Lail subsequently married Miss Mary Williams, who bore him ten children, among whom was Charles Lail, the father of our subject. He was born in Harrison County in 1805, and followed farming as a business; he married Louisa Douglas as above stated, who bore him eight children, all sons, and six of whom are still living. He died in 1861, and his wife, who was born in 1814, died in 1880. Charles Lail, whose name heads this sketch, spent his early life with his parents; received his education while with them, and assisted his father at farming. In 1869 he was married to Miss Anna Clifford; but three children of the seven born to them are now living: Evelyn, Edgar, and Leslie. In 1880 Mr. Lail bought a farm of seventy-five acres. He is a Democrat, and his wife is a member of the Baptist Church; he is also holding the office of Justice of the Peace. Daniel Boone was great[-]uncle to his mother, and his great[-]grandfather, Capt. Bryant, was the settler and founder of Bryant's Station, the place which figured so conspicuously in the early Indian wars of the blue grass region.

WILLIAM McMURTY, farmer; P.O. Robinson; was born in Harrison County, Ky., in 1812, and is the son of James and Nancy (Bryan) McMurty. His father was a native of Virginia, and at the age of eight was brought by his parents to Mercer County, Ky. There he grew to man's estate, and became the owner and manager of a tannery, and continued this business for forty years, being at the same time interested in farming; he was the father of eleven children; a member of the Baptist Church, and in his political views a Whig. His death occurred in 1853, his wife having died as early as 1832. William lived with his parents until he was grown to manhood. In 1852 he married Miss Anna Robertson, who has borne him six children, five of whom are living, viz.: James, Frank, Sally, William, and Susan. Mr. McMurtry became the manager of his father's tannery, conducting the same until 1855; in 1859 he removed to his present home, where he has a farm of 400 acres; he is doing a general farm business, though his specialty is breeding fine stock; he and his family are members of the Christian Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.

JAMES M. ROLLINS, farmer; P.O. Boyd; is a Virginian by birth, and son of John and Polly (Monroe) Rollins; he was born March 25, 1817; his parents were also natives of Virginia; his father was a farmer, and removed from his native State to Logan County, O., to carry on this business; he remained a resident of that county until his death, which occurred at the ripe old age of eighty-six years. His mother died in Virginia as early as 1801. At the age of fifteen years James M. left his home and became a resident of Guernsey County, O.; he remained there about eighteen months, and then removed to Nicholas County, Ky., where he remained until 1837, engaged in repairing the Maysville and Lexington Pike; he subsequently became a resident of Council Point, Ark., where, on account of sickness, he remained about eighteen months; in the spring of 1845 he returned to Nicholas County, Ky., and took charge of the farm of Mr. John Holliday; in 1846 he married Miss Elizabeth J. Summitte, who bore him two children: Mary L. and Frances A. About the time of his marriage he removed to Schuyler County, Ill., where he began farming; he remained there, however, but one season, and then returned to Kentucky and settled in Harrison County, buying the farm where he now resides, which now consists of 250 acres. In January of 1852 his wife died, aged twenty-six years, and in 1853 he married Miss Mary J. Swinford, by whom he had six children, viz.: Allie E, Addie, Agnes, Mary L., James W., and Charles. Mr. Rollins and family are members of the Christian Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.

B.M. SWINFORD, farmer; P.O. Berry; was born in Harrison County, Ky., June 7, 1815, and is the son of H.H. and Mickie (Perrin) Swinford. His father was native of Harrison County, and born in 1789; he worked for may years at the blacksmithing business, and then engaged in farming, in which he was interested at the time of his death, which occurred in 1840; politically he was a Democrat. The mother of B.M. died in 1847; both his parents were members of the Christian Church; Mr. Swinford lived with his parents until he was 20 years of age, and then learned the trade of a carpenter and millwright; he followed this business until 1848, and then began farming on Sycamore Creek, near Cynthiana; he remained there until 1853, and then removed to Lair's Station, where he resumed farm business, and continued the same for two years, when removed to Covington, Ky.; there he began merchandising and did some carpenter work; he continued a resident of Covington until 1859, and then returned to Harrison County; resumed mill building, which he followed until 1862. He then went to Bourbon County for three years, and then became a resident of Cynthiana for about seven years; in 1871 he made his final move, and settled on the farm he now owns of 140 acres. In 1845, Mr. Swinford was married to Miss Polly Young, who bore him six children, one of whom now lives, James H.; his wife died in 1851, aged thirty-nine years, and in 1871 he married a Mrs. Emily Blair, who was the mother of two living children by her former husband, viz.: Joseph and Edward. Both the parents and children are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Swinford is a Democrat.

Source:
Transcribed and edited by Philip Naff, August, 1999.
Information previously posted by Jo Thiessen

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